Short Summary

Nyamuragira, the largest active volcano in Congo-Kinshasa, has been erupting for the last two weeks.?

Description

Nyamuragira, the largest active volcano in Congo-Kinshasa, has been erupting for the last two weeks. Lava has been ejected more than 300 yards ( metres ) into the air. The molten lava is gradually claiming more ground at the foot of the volcano - when this film was made last Tuesday (April 6th ) a strip of land 15 miles long and I mile wide was covered by lava. Experts say the eruption, the biggest in the area since 1958, could last for months.

SYNOPSIS: The volcano of Nyamuragira, in Congo-Kinshasa ... it's been erupting for the last two weeks.

Lava is being thrown 300 yards into the air...and the crater of the volcano, now 150 yards across from edge to edge..... is widening all the time. The volcano, in the mountains 25 miles away from Goma, lies at 2,000 feet it rises 250 yards away from the surface...and is the largest active volcano in Congo-Kinshasa.

But it's one of the great paradoxes of nature that such a beautiful sight is also so destructive. The molten lava is flowing downwards at the speed of 10 miles per hour ( 15 kilometres laying a solid blanket over all it passes.

So far the lava has claimed a strip of land 15 miles long and I mile wide. But there's no threat to villagers...the nearest live in the opposite direction of the flow of lava. The volcano itself is becoming quite an attraction while it's active......but to get near it, those would witness the eruption personally face a march of five hours through the forest...they have time through....experts say the eruption may continue for months.

COLONEL LASMAR BOUZAINE, WHO ONCE SPENT 18 MONTHS IN THE CONGO COMMANDING A TUNISIAN CONTINGENT OF THE UNITED NATIONS PEACE FORCE, ARRIVED IN KINSHASA RECENTLY TO TAKE UP THE JOB OF HIS COUNTRY'S FIRST AMBASSADOR.